Meursault Premier Cru Les Cras

Commentaires de Dégustations


Allen Meadows de Burghound.com

Meursault-Charmes 2010: A ripe and wonderfully pure nose of white orchard fruit, lemon peel and herbal hints merges into seductive yet quite finely detailed middle weight flavors that are shaped by a firm acid spine and the explosive and hugely long yet harmonious finish. I really like the texture here as there is a Zen-like quality to it. Highly recommended as Charmes rarely delivers this kind of finesse. Score 93

Meursault-Charmes 2009: A ripe and wonderfully pure nose of white orchard fruit, lemon peel and herbal hints merges into seductive yet quite finely detailed middle weight flavors that are shaped by a firm acid spine and the explosive and hugely long yet harmonious finish. I really like the texture here as there is a Zen-like quality to it. Highly recommended as Charmes rarely delivers this kind of finesse. Score 94

Meursault-Charmes 2008: A densely fruited nose of lemon rind, sandalwood and white peach gives way to precise, intense and beautifully delineated middle weight flavors that display real verve and drive on the balanced and mildly austere finish that is also notably dry. I particularly like the amount of dry extract, which should allow the '08 Charmes to age effortlessly. Score 92

Meursault-Charmes 2007: As it usually is at this address, the Charmes is noticeably more complex if not necessarily more elegant than the Les Cras with a layered, ripe and pure nose of orchard fruit and citrus blossom that complements the round and relatively opulent medium-bodied flavors that do not lose focus or precision on the sappy and mouth coating finish that displays admirably fine length. Lovely stuff and I like the hint of backend minerality.Score 91

Meursault-Charmes 2006: A completely different aromatic profile is present with white flower, citrus and a soupçon of orange peel that merges into again very ripe but not exotic fruit-driven flavors that offer excellent richness and verve on the beautifully intense and pure finish. This is blessed with ample dry extract and I particularly like the mouth feel. Score 92

Meursault-Charmes 1999: I had a chance to taste a slightly older example and have included the note here for reference. There was more than a trace of reduction initially though it began to dissipate immediately with air; still, I would strongly suggest decanting this for 20 to 30 minutes first. Once the nose opened up, it revealed still youthfully fresh and vibrant aromas of ripe peach, mango and spice notes that complement the racy, precise and long flavors that deliver first rate power and seriously impressive length. This is built to age and while it will likely reach its apogee in 2 to 3 years, it should remain there for at least a decade. Score 91

Meursault-Charmes 1985: A wonderfully complex nose that remains very fresh if no longer youthful combining hints of honey, spice and sous bois with rich, full and sweet flavors that still retain excellent focus and a terrifically long finish. This is a really impressive effort and while almost impossible to find, it is worth a search. Score 93

Meursault-Charmes 1982: An expressive nose redolent of sous bois, earth, spice and hints of honey and citrus combine with racy, precise and mineral-infused flavors that still retain good vibrancy and plenty of finishing punch. This doesn't have the sheer complexity of the fantastic 1985 but this is holding in beautifully well even if it is completely ready to drink.Score 90